Music Talks with Children eBook

In our next Talk we shall learn that pure thought,
written out of the heart, is forever a good in the
world. From this we shall learn that to study
music rightly is to cultivate in our own hearts the
same good thought which the composer had. Hence
the third reason we can find for studying music is
that it makes us able to help and to cheer others,
to help them by willingly imparting the little knowledge
we have, and to cheer them by playing the beautiful
thoughts in tone which we have learned.

These are three great reasons, truly, but there are
many others. Let us speak about one of them.
In some of the Talks we are to have we shall learn
that true music comes from a true heart; and that great
music—­that is the classics—­is
the thought of men who are pure and noble, learned
in the way to write, and anxious never to write anything
but the best. There is plainly a great deal of
good to us if we study daily the music of men such
as these. In this way we are brought in touch
with the greatest thought. This constant presence
and influence will mold our thoughts to greater strength
and greater beauty. When we read the history
of music, we shall see that the greatest composers
have always been willing to study in their first days
the master works of their time. They have strengthened
their thoughts by contact with thoughts stronger than
their own, and we may gain in just the same way if
we will. We know now that there are many reasons
why it is good for us to study music. We have
spoken particularly of four of these. They are:

First, for the happiness it will give us.

Second, for the order it demands of us.

Third, for the power it gives us to help and cheer
others.

Fourth, for the great and pure thought it brings before
us and raises in us.

All these things, are they true, you ask? If
the little child had asked that of the master he would
have said:

“These things shalt thou find real because they
make thee brave. And the pain and the drudgery
and the hot tears shall be the easier to bear for
this knowledge, which should be strong within thee
as a pure faith.”

CHAPTER III.

MUSIC IN THE HEART.

“Raffaello’s genius goes directly
to the heart.”—­Autobiography of
Benvenuto Cellini.[4]

The only true way to learn is by doing. The skill
of the hand and the skill of the thought can be brought
out only by use. We shall not become very skilful,
nor very learned, nor very good unless we daily devote
ourselves to tasks—­often difficult and unpleasant—­which
shall bring to us wisdom, or success, or goodness.
None of these things, nor any other like them, come
merely by talking about them. That is the worst
way of all—­merely to talk and not to act.
But if we talk truthfully and act with care, we shall
gain a great deal. Pleasant companionship often
brings forth thoughts which if we follow them industriously,
lead a long way in a good direction.